WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration

The objective of the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program is to work cooperatively with states, Tribes, and other entities as they study, design and construct aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread

The Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Program provides cost-shared financial assistance for the study, design and construction of aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and result in the improvement of the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration and improved fish passage. Reclamation has established a merit-based process to allocate funding that includes the competitive WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects funding opportunity and a non-competitive (discretionary) process to allocate funding for emergent needs related to Commissioner's Office priorities.

Eligible applicants include States, Tribes, irrigation districts, or water districts; State, regional, or local authorities, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; agencies established under State law for the joint exercise of powers; and other entities or organizations that own a dam that is eligible for upgrade, modification, or removal. Nonprofit conservation organizations are also eligible to apply if they are acting in partnership with and with the agreement of an entity described above with respect to a project involving land or infrastructure owned by the that entity. Applicants must also be located in in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.

General public, entities with water or power delivery authority, state, county, and local governmental entities, and Tribes located in eligible states and territories previously described in applicant eligibility. The Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program benefits a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include but is not limited to, private property owners, Federal, State, or local agencies, and Tribes located in eligible states and territories previously described in applicant eligibility.

Funding may be used for engineering and restoration project design, biological and cultural resource surveys, preparation of federal and state compliance documents, development of post-construction monitoring plans, outreach to affective stakeholders, removal or modification of barriers to fish passage, restoration of natural features, connectivity, and aquatic habitat.

Activities that are not eligible for funding include the design of projects considered normal operations, maintenance, and replacement; pilot projects and studies to evaluate technical capability, economic feasibility, or viability for full-scale implementation or to test an unproven material or technology, and the removal and prevention of invasive mussel species. The costs for the purchase of water or land, or to secure an easement other than a construction easement are not eligible. The costs of initial post-construction monitoring are limited to up to 25 percent of the total project cost. Long-term (i.e., more than 12 months) post-construction monitoring is considered normal operation and maintenance, and the costs are the responsibility of the applicant.

In general, study and design projects should be completed within 3 years of award. Construction projects should be completed within 5 years of award.

Preapplication coordination is not required but is highly encouraged. Potential applicants can contact Reclamation program staff to discuss their project. Contact information can be found at https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart. Projects funded under this program are subject to environmental and cultural resource compliance. The level of compliance for projects funded under this program will vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project being funded. Environmental and cultural resource compliance is required before the commencement of project activities.

Specific evaluation criteria will be included in the funding announcements posted on www.grants.gov. All applications will be evaluated on the technical merit of the project using criteria that give priority to projects that are (1) jointly developed and supported by a diverse array of stakeholders including representatives of irrigated agricultural production, hydroelectric production, potable water purveyors and industrial water users, Tribes, commercial fishing interests, and nonprofit conservation organizations; affect water resources management in 2 or more river basins while providing regional benefits not limited to fish restoration;; and contribute to the restoration of anadromous fish species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Proposals received in response to the funding opportunity are reviewed through a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with the merit review criteria and on the objectives of the funding opportunity. The review of applications will follow the requirements of E.O. 14332, such as ensuring policy review by senior appointees, and that selections demonstrably advance the President's policy priorities consistent with applicable law. Proposals for discretionary emergent needs projects will be evaluated based on the extent to which the project benefits aquatic ecosystems, the priorities under the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration act, and whether the project meets an emergent need related to a Reclamation priority or initiative.

Application deadlines are listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunities and vary from year to year. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines.

See Reclamation's WaterSMART website https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/ for schedule information.

Upon request, Reclamation will provide all applicants with information on why their proposals were not selected.